Five Years and Growing for Clarksdale Film Festival

By MAGICAL MADGE

Clarksdale, Mississippi

What a perfect time of year to stay indoors and watch movies. It’s so cold outside! Give me a good movie, a blanket and a beverage and I’ll follow you anywhere. You say there is a film festival in town this week?

Yep! The Clarksdale Film Festival kicks off this Thursday, January 29 for the 5th time! If you have failed to venture downtown to experience this phenomenon the past four years, then you need to go this year.

Begin with welcoming special guests former Vanderbilt running back Brad Gaines and Jody Hill, author of New York Times Bestseller 38: The Chucky Mullins Effect. They will be in the Delta Cinema Lobby at 6pm. Then at 6:30, watch the Clarksdale premiere of the SEC Storied (ESPN) documentary It’s Time: The Story of Brad Gaines and Chucky Mullins, which chronicles the touching friendship between Gaines and Mullins. Jody Hill will stick around in the Lobby following the show signing copies of his book.

TRAILER FOR IT’S TIME
[youtube width=”600″ height=”400″]http://youtu.be/Oe-RNqoI4UA[/youtube]

Peruse the Clarksdale Film Festival schedule below which also features workshops, tours and more special guests including documentary Take Me To the River director Martin Shore and musicians Charlie Musselwhite, William Bell, Boo Mitchell, Frayser Boy and more. Find something that interests you. Then go! Take a few friends with you.

Thanks Roger Stolle, Nan Hughes and Goldie Hirsberg for hosting this unique Clarksdale event and for your continuing hard work with the wildly popular Juke Joint Festival.

5th CLARKSDALE FILM FESTIVAL features workshops, tours and special guests like Brad Gaines and Charlie Musselwhite — January 29-31, 2015

The official Clarksdale Film Festival schedule is below (subject to change):

DELTA CINEMA
(11 Third Street, Clarksdale, MS)

THURSDAY, JAN. 29, 2015 – CINEMA LOBBY:

5pm
Music Reception in Cinema Lobby
Clarksdale’s Preston Rumbaugh & special guests perform live Delta blues for festival reception in the lobby! Plus, official festival merchandise sales — tees, hats and more.

6pm
“Welcome” & Special Guests in Lobby
Official welcome by Clarksdale Film Festival organizers… Plus, special guests, including football’s Brad Gaines (from tonight’s feature film) and author Jody Hill (38: The Chucky Mullins Effect).

8pm
Booksigning in Lobby
After the film… book signing in lobby with author Jody Hill (38: The Chucky Mullins Effect).

 

THURSDAY, JAN. 29, 2015 – DOWNSTAIRS MAIN THEATER:

6:30pm
It’s Time: The Story of Brad Gaines and Chucky Mullins

(90 min.) Clarksdale premiere with special guests Brad Gaines (from the movie) and Jody Hill (author of 38: The Chucky Mullins Effect). On October 28, 1989, Ole Miss defensive back Chucky Mullins hit Vanderbilt running back Brad Gaines in the back and separated him from the ball. While Gaines was uninjured, Mullins suffered a broken neck on the play, leaving him a quadriplegic. The SEC Storied (ESPN) documentary chronicles the touching friendship between Gaines and Mullins, two men who were brought together through tragedy. Author Jody Hill will sign copies of 38: The Chucky Mullins Effect after the film.

 

THURSDAY, JAN. 29, 2015 – UPSTAIRS THEATER:

6:45pm
M for Mississippi: A Road Trip through the Birthplace of the Blues

(94 min.) Award-winning travelogue follows blues fans Jeff Konkel and Roger Stolle on their 2008 pilgrimage from Clarksdale through the Mississippi Delta in search of the region’s last great bluesmen. Includes music and interviews with T-Model Ford, Mr. Tater, R.L. Boyce, L.C. Ulmer, Duck Holmes, Bilbo Walker, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, The Mississippi Marvel and other blues characters. www.mformississippi.com

 

FRIDAY, JAN. 30, 2015 – UPSTAIRS THEATER:

11:30am
Canoeing into Confidence: A Film about Overcoming Fear

(22 min.) Follows several Spring Initiative teenagers on their journey to and on the river, as they each face different fears and discomforts — and discover strength, freedom, and joy on the other side. Spring Initiative is an after-school program where participants get to push themselves and each other to be all that they can be. Directed by Bianca Zaharescu.

12 noon
The River Sonnet

(44 min.) Mississippi premiere. Slideshow of photographs overdubbed by an intersplicing of braided clips including ambient sound recordings, regional dialects and fractured audio readings of original poetry. The primary goal of the film is to track shifts in natural and cultural land and soundscapes in order to present a realistic assessment of the state of life in the Mississippi River Valley biosphere. Directed by Matthew Leavitt Brown and Justin Orlowski. www.riversonnet.org

1pm
Hard Times

(69 min.) The classic story of Delta blues gone North — told through the eyes of sharecropper, boxer, club owner and bluesman Big George Brock. Hard Times mixes live concert footage in Clarksdale and St. Louis with on-location interviews and archival photos. Directed/produced by Damien Blaylock and Roger Stolle.

2:30pm
Mississippi Madam: The Life of Nellie Jackson — The Trailer

(6 min.) Clarksdale premiere. Preview trailer for forthcoming documentary film on the life and times of Natchez, Mississippi’s infamous brothel owner — Nellie Jackson. Directed by Mark Brockway.

3pm
We Juke Up in Here: Mississippi’s Juke Joint Culture at the Crossroads

(63 min.) Award-winning blues film follows blues fans Jeff Konkel & Roger Stolle as they visit Mississippi’s surviving juke joints. Includes live performances by Anthony “Big A” Sherrod, Elmo Williams, Hezekiah Early, Gearshifter, Duck Holmes, Big George Brock, Terry “Harmonica” Bean and more… but the star of the show is the self-proclaimed “King of the Juke Joint Runners”, Red Paden of Red’s Lounge in Clarksdale. www.wejukeupinhere.com

4:15pm
Clarksdale Municipal School District Film

(6 min.) Promotional yet inspirational educational film short presented by Clarksdale Municipal School District (CMSD). CMSD is committed to giving students the opportunity to explore skills that will enable them to excel in the areas of technology, science, medical sciences, and much more.

4:30pm
The Mighty Quapaws

(17 min.) New documentary tells the story of the Mighty Quapaw Apprenticeship Program in Clarksdale, Mississippi. Founded by John “Riverman” Ruskey of Quapaw Canoe Company, the young program teaches “canoe ethics” — using the “Mr. Johnnie method — to brighten the lives of his students and the future of the river itself. Directed by Joseph Dickinson.

 

FRIDAY, JAN. 30, 2015 – DOWNSTAIRS MAIN THEATER:

12 noon
Barefoot Workshops — New Clarksdale Films

(45 min. total) Barefoot Workshops returns to Clarksdale to tell the memorable food-related stories of Lil’ Kitchen, Big Sauce — the owners of Wops BBQ — and Kim’s Way — the founder of Kim’s Processing (pork skins, etc.). Clarksdale loves Barefoot Workshops, by the way. Join ‘em, and make your own films! The next workshops start February 1st — www.barefootworkshops.org

1:15pm
Fever Dreams

(62 min.) Clarksdale premiere. Four new, spellbinding vignettes of suspense described as “Twilight Zone meets Tales from the Crypt”: The Agent, The Entertainer, Timed Romance and The Cameraman. Directed by Rob Underhill. (Join Underhill for his Saturday lobby workshop at 3pm.)

2:30pm
Bragg N East

(24 min.) Clarksdale premiere. In the time of Ferguson, this gritty police drama explores powerful ways for law enforcement to bridge the gap of communication and understanding with the communities they serve. Directed by Rob Underhill. (Join Underhill for his Saturday lobby workshop at 3pm.)

3:15pm
Time Brings About a Change: A Floyd Dixon Celebration

(134 min.) Clarksdale premiere. In June 2006, a special concert event honored blues piano legend Floyd Dixon. Dixon succumbed to cancer just 55 days later. This is the story behind the landmark live recording. Floyd Dixon, Pinetop Perkins, Henry Gray and other blues legends are immortalized through live music and special interviews filmed during that one historic weekend in 2006. Directed by Phillip Cruess. Trailer: www.youtube.com/watch?v=oISOLhCF5D4

6:15pm
Don’t Think I’ve Forgotten: Cambodia’s Lost Rock and Roll

(105 min.) Mississippi premiere. A roots music documentary set in another “Deep South” — a half a world away. During the 60’s and early 70’s as the war in Vietnam threatened its borders, a new music scene emerged in Cambodia that took Western rock ‘n roll and stood it on its head – creating a sound like no other. But as Cambodian society — young creative musicians in particular — embraced western culture and flourished under its influence, the rest of the country was rapidly moving to war. After taking over the country in April 1975, the Khmer Rouge began wiping out all traces of modernity and Western influence. Intellectuals, artists and musicians were specifically and systematically targeted and eliminated. Thus began one of the most brutal genocides in history, killing an estimated two million people. Directed by John Pirozzi. www.dtifcambodia.com/#!trailer/c1t44

 

FRIDAY, JAN. 30, 2015 – CINEMA LOBBY:

5pm
Music Reception in Cinema Lobby
Clarksdale’s Preston Rumbaugh & special guests perform live Delta blues for festival reception in the lobby! Plus, official festival merchandise sales — tees, hats and more.

6pm
“Welcome” by Festival Organizers in Lobby
Official welcome by Clarksdale Film Festival organizers, and thanks to sponsors and volunteers.

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2015 – CINEMA FRONT PORCH:

12 noon

CLARKSDALE HISTORY BUS TOUR #1 with historian Robert Birdsong

Experience fascinating movie, literary, civil rights and blues music history from the comfort of a bus seat. Clarksdale Film Festival ticket required.

1:30pm
CLARKSDALE HISTORY BUS TOUR #2 with historian Robert Birdsong

Experience fascinating movie, literary, civil rights and blues music history from the comfort of a bus seat. Clarksdale Film Festival ticket required.

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2015 – LOBBY WORKSHOPS:

1pm
WORKSHOP — Filmmaking with Cellphones: A Workshop for Kids* with Coop Cooper

Join experienced filmmaker Coop Cooper in the Delta Cinema lobby — and outside — as he shares his ideas and methods for young folks (*recommended for ages 7-18 but everyone is welcome) who want to make movies with their cell phones! Cooper is a Clarksdale-based writer/director and Press Register movie critic; he is best known for the films Regress (2012), The Best Day (2011) and S for Sally (2013). www.imdb.com/name/nm4684369/

3pm
WORKSHOP — A Movie: Making it Happen on Low/No Budget with Rob Underhill

Join special guest Rob Underhill in the Delta Cinema lobby as he shares his vast knowledge as a successful film/TV director, producer, writer and editor. His Clarksdale Film Festival WORKSHOP will show burgeoning filmmakers the secrets of making affordable movies in any genre. Underhill’s films have competed in over 200 film festivals worldwide, receiving over 70 awards; watch his new Fever Dreams, This Was My Son, Bragg N East and The Wheeler Parker Story film’s at this weekend’s festival. www.robunderhill.com

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2015 – UPSTAIRS THEATER:

11:15pm
2014 Clarksdale Christmas Parade

(35 min.) World premiere. Relive Clarksdale, Mississippi’s annual downtown holiday parade as captured on film by local filmmaker Conor Coughlin.

12:15pm
This Was My Son

(7 min.) Mississippi premiere. The true story of the American Civil Rights icon, Mamie Till (mother of Emmitt Till), and the tragedy that inspired her to spend her life battling social injustice and racial prejudice. Directed by Rob Underhill. (Join Underhill for his lobby workshop at 3pm.)

12:30pm
The Wheeler Parker Story

(16 min.) Clarksdale premiere. Constructed from historic interviews, one actor (Mike Wiley) portrays Wheeler Parker as he gives his firsthand account of events leading up to the abduction and eventual murder of his cousin, Emmett Till, in 1955. Directed by Rob Underhill. (Join Underhill for his lobby workshop at 3pm.)

1:15pm
subSIPPI

(56 min.) Clarksdale premiere of exploratory documentary highlighting the incredible diversity of people and personalities in Mississippi. The goal is to present modern Mississippi — not one fabricated on myth or romanticized notions but one showcasing the progression and evolution of the state. Directed by Vincent Jude Chaney. www.subsippi.com

2:45pm
Will To Change

(45 min.) The inspirational true story of William Kozielski, a 29-year-old parolee who is breaking the cycle of violence in his community, and mentoring youth out of delinquent behavior. Created as an intervention tool for youth and residents of Clarksdale, Mississippi, it is also being used by the Mississippi Department of Corrections to support pre-release and re-entry programs. A film by Alison Fast and Chandler Griffin. www.W2Cmovie.com

3:30pm
Cheesehead Blues: Adventures of a Dutchman in the Mississippi Delta

(82 min.) U.S. premiere of final cut with introduction by Theo “Boogieman” Dasbach. Dutch director (and blues fanatic) Jan Doense tells the story of Rock & Blues Museum founder Dasbach’s Rock & Blues Museum and his blues friends in Clarksdale — a town reinventing itself to keep the blues alive. Includes James “T-Model” Ford, James “Super Chikan” Johnson, Frank “Rat” Ratliff, Watermelon Slim, Red Paden and other local blues characters. Rough cut of film received Best Blues & Roots Music Film Award at 2014 Clarksdale Film Festival. www.vimeo.com/58095701

5:30pm
Howl-N-Madd: Mississippi Blues Family Man

(27 min.) The story of Abbeville, Mississippi, bluesman Bill “Howl-N-Madd” Perry, his musical life and family. From picking cotton in the Mississippi Hill Country to playing music on the Chicago blues scene… and ultimately, returning to Mississippi some 40 years later… this new film celebrates Perry’s survival and success. Highlights blues performances in the Delta and NYC. Directed by Lee Quinby. www.truedeltaproject.org

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2015 – DOWNSTAIRS MAIN THEATER:

11am
Tom Sawyer

(44 min.) Mississippi premiere. Maria Newman is an award-winning composer, violinist and pianist who has scored a number of restored vintage silent films — including this classic, 1917 silent film version of Mark Twain’s Tom Sawyer — the story of a boy growing up along the Mississippi River. Born into a musical family with ties to Clarksdale, Maria Newman is an Annenberg Foundation Composition Fellow, Mary Pickford Foundation Composition Fellow, Malibu Coast Chamber Orchestra Composer-in-Residence, Louis & Annette Kaufman Composition Chair and Joachim Chassman Violin Fellow.

12:15pm
Love Them Well

(21 min.) Clarksdale premiere. New documentary follows Clarksdale-raised Trey Lewis — a born-again Christian with a checkered past — as the works to spread the word of God and touch the lives of at-risk people in the Atlanta area. From trailer parkes to the inner city, Lewis tries to make a difference one prayer at a time. Directed/produced by Nick McNaughton.

1pm
Life of Riley — special engagement courtesy of B.B. King Museum

(123 min.) Visit the BB King Museum in Indianola, Mississippi, and see this movie at the Clarksdale Film Festival to fully understand the life, success and importance of the Magnolia State’s most famous bluesman — Riley “B.B.” King. Mississippi’s Morgan Freeman narrates this moving story of King’s rise from Delta cotton sharecropper to world-famous “King of the Blues”. Special thanks to our friends at the B.B. King Museum & Delta Interpretive Center, www.bbkingmuseum.org

3:30pm
Yazoo Revisited: Integration and Segregation in a Deep Southern Town

(84 min.) Clarksdale premiere with introduction by director. This compelling new documentary directed/produced by David Rae Morris explores the history of race relations and the 1970 integration of the public schools in Yazoo City, Mississippi. The integration there was considered by many to be a model of success, unlike in many other districts where white families fled the public schools for private academies. Trailer: www.vimeo.com/67459498

4:30pm
Nobody

(17 Min.) Clarksdale premiere. New short film about an 18-year-old kid named Elvis, before he became Elvis Presley. The biographical story features the tender relationship between a young man and his loving mother, his devoted teacher, and the senior year talent show that changed everything. It’s an intimate portrait of a young dreamer, before the fame and revolutionary fandom. Directed by William Bryan. www.nobodyshortfilm.com

 

SATURDAY, JAN. 31, 2015 – CINEMA LOBBY:

5pm
Music Reception in Cinema Lobby
Clarksdale’s Preston Rumbaugh & special guests perform live Delta blues for festival reception in the lobby! Plus, official festival merchandise sales — tees, hats and more.

6pm
“Welcome” & Special Guests in Lobby
Official welcome by Clarksdale Film Festival organizers… Plus, special guests, including Take Me to the River director Martin Shore and musicians Charlie Musselwhite, William Bell, Boo Mitchell, Frayser Boy and more.

8pm
Q&A in Main Theater
After the film… ask Take Me to the River director Shore and the movie star musicians questions. Then, meet and greet!

6:30pm
Take Me to the River

(95 min.) Clarksdale premiere with introduction and Q&A. Special guests include director Martin Shore and musicians Charlie Musselwhite, William Bell, Boo Mitchell, Frayser Boy and more. New film celebrates the inter-generational and inter-racial musical influence of Memphis in the face of pervasive discrimination and segregation. Brings multiple generations of award-winning Memphis and Mississippi Delta musicians together, following them through the creative process of recording a historic new album. Film features Terrence Howard, William Bell, Snoop Dogg, Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Lil P-Nut, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby “Blue” Bland, Yo Gotti, Bobby Rush, Frayser Boy, The North Mississippi All-Stars and many more. www.takemetotheriver.livingfilm.com

Schedule and special updates: http://www.jukejointfestival.com/film_fest.php

SCHEDULE SUBJECT TO CHANGE.